A Rs 72 Lakh Drug Could Possibly Cost Just Rs 3,000, Reveals Affidavit (image/roche.com)
In an affidavit filed by a 24-year-old Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patient in the Kerala High Court, Yale University’s Dr. Melissa Barber’s insight revealed that a drug for testing the rare disease, currently priced at Rs 72 lakh annually, could be made for as little as Rs 3,000 annually. The price drop can be possible if India allows local manufacturing.
Dr. Barber, who has previously worked as a consultant for WHO, the World Bank, and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), conducted a cost analysis of Risdiplam for the 24-year-old petitioner.
Also Read | Why Government Approved 50% Increase In Prices Of Commonly Used Drugs?
With a specialisation in estimating drug production costs, the doctor stated that even a markup of 1,000 percent (unit price $12.83 per 60 mg/80 mL vial) would result in a 99 percent decrease from the current US prices, which stand at $11,170 per vial.
The drug Risdiplam is preferred for treating SMA for being cost-effective and easy to administer (it can be taken orally). However, due to patent restrictions and lack of local production, the prices have shot up so much that many patients cannot afford it.
“Risdiplam is a small-molecule medicine with less complex manufacture than other treatments for SMA. Production in small volumes is both feasible and cost-effective,” stated Dr. Barber, as quoted by the Times of India.
During a hearing in the Kerala High Court, the petitioner argued that the health ministry’s decision to increase financial aid for patients with rare diseases from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh was not enough without local production. The ministry has also kickstarted a crowdfunding platform, which, as of October 14, has managed to raise only Rs 3.5 lakh. A total of 2,340 patients have registered for the same.
Also Read | US Man Dies Of Rare Mosquito Virus; Rising Cases Cause Concern
Established in May 2023 to implement the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021, the National Rare Diseases’ Committee’s short-term goal, according to the health ministry, is drug procurement, and the mid-term goal is drug indigenisation.
However, the affidavit filed claimed that no clear steps have been taken to create an environment for the affordable production of medicines for rare diseases, reported Times of India.
